Arterial embalming method and arterial embalming fluid



Patented July 1Q, 1945 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ARTERIAL EMBALMING METHOD AND ARTERIAL EMBALMIN FLUID David H. Williams, Canfleld, Ohio, assignor to Robert C. Switzer, South Euclid, and Joseph L. Switzer, Cleveland Heights, .Ohio

No Drawing. Application April 13, 1945,

7 Serial No. 588,251

25 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in the art of arterial embalming and in arterial embalming fluids. More particularly, this invention relates to a fluorescent arterial embalming fluid and a method of arterial embalming utilizing When the present-day method of embalming by forcing a suitable embalming fluid through the circulatory system of a body was first developed about eighty years ago, the principal active ingredients in the embalming fluids were extremely effective arsenical compounds. The method has remained substantially unchanged, the improvements being in the embalming fluids. The chief fault of the early embalming fluids employing arsenical compounds was that the embalming fluids could mask murder by poisoning and, as a police measure, the appropriate regulatory boards and like governmental bodies have generally established strict regulations which practically limit the permissible active ingredients of embalming fluids to organic compounds such as formaldehyde. Another fault of early embalming fluids was that they tended to impart a leathery appearance which was unnatural and disturbing to the sensibilities.

The achievement of a thorough embalming by prior art methods and the use of prior art embalming fluids requires excellent judgment based on long experience. Heretofore, the only manner in which an expert embalmer could supplement his experienced judgment in determining the progress of an embalming was to detect the stiifening and hardening of the tissues due to thecoagulating effect of the formaldehyde or like embalming medium. This required a subtle sense of touch and even the most experienced embalmer was never sure whether stiifened tissue was due to the embalming fluid or rigor. mortis. Inexpert or hasty embalmers were wont to employ'fluids having such a high concentration of formaldehyde that the tissues would be stiffened to a. point of immobility; such practise was undesirable, esthetically, because it imparted an unnatural statue-like appearance to the body and, practically, because the intense coagulating effect of the fluid closed the capillaries and actu- 5 ally prevented thorough embalming.

It is the object of this invention to provide a method of embalming which will permit the embalmer to have positive visual indication of the progress of an embalming by revealing the loca- 10 tion of areas which are properly embalmed. It

is another object of this invention toprovide a method of embalming which will permit an embalmer to achieve thorough embalming while using a low concentration of an active embalming ingredient with the result that the embalmed tissues may be flexed and the body posed in a natural position.

A further object of this invention is to provide a fluorescent embalming fluid. A still further object of this invention is to provide a fluorescent embalming fluid in which the fluorescent ingredient dissolved is colorless or substantially so in visible light in order that the body embalmed therewith will appear natural when viewed in visible light.

The foregoing objects and advantages of this invention are achieved in general by employing an embalming fluid containing permissible active embalming ingredients, a fluorescent ingredient, and a mutual solvent for the active embalming ingredients and the fluorescent ingredient. As

or after the fluorescent embalming fluid is forced through the circulatory system of the body being embalmed, the body is viewed undersuitable fluorescigenous radiations, preferably filtered ul- 4 traviolet ranging between 3200 and 4000 Angstrom units in wave length. (Wherever examination under filtered ultraviolet is spoken of in this specification and claims, it is to be understood that such examinations are conducted in 0 sary, andcontinued circulation of the embalming fluid, all external areas of the body may be rendered fluorescent; the emission of visible light from areas of the arms, legs, and the head indicates that the tissues of those members have been embalmed. The dissolved fluorescent ingredient the substantial absence of extraneous visible (hereinafter referred to as the fluoragent") of the embalming fluid is preferably colorless in visible light, though, in some instances, a visibly colored fluoragent may be employed when the use of such a colored fluoragent will have a desirable cosmetic effect.

Other and further objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent from the following detailed description which is for an average 150 pound body which is neither excessively dehydrated nor dropsical.

The body may be washed in the usual manner preparatory to the embalming iniections. Many antiseptic soaps employed for this purpose may leave a slightly fluorescent film; if such a soap is employed, the body is thoroughly rinsed to remove traces of fluorescent soap which may interfere with indications in the actual embalming operation. The thoroughness of the rinsing operation is readily determined by examining the body under filtered ultraviolet prior to commencing the injections of embalming fluid.

Also preparatory to the actual embalming operation, the body is preferably given the usual so-called pm-injection treatment, that is, suitable openings are made in the veins and arteries in order that the portions of the circulatory system being treated may be flushed with a suitable so-called "pro-injection fluid to remove blood, any clots which are-present, and to open the capillaries. Such pro-injection fluids are available on the market and comprise, essentially,-an aqueous carrier for anti-coagulants, such as sodium citrate or similar salts of organic acids, for example; the pro-injection fluid may also contain a suitable wetting agent.

After the circulatory system is cleared by the pro-injection fluid, the circulatory system is in- Jected with the fluorescent embalming fluid, the embalming fluid being supplied to the arterial system from a reservoir through the usual injecting tube and the venous system being connected to a drain. Circulation of the embalming fluid may be forced in any suitable manner, preferably by providing the reservoir with suflicient head which may be increased as occasion requires by the use of a syringe bulb.

The natural and/or artificial illumination of the embalming room is supplemented with a suitable source of filtered ultraviolet, preferably located above the embalming table. As injection of the embalming fluid commences, the usual source of visible light is turned off or shuttered so that the room is in substantial darkness, suflicient illumination for the remainder of the embalming fluid injection operations being provided by the small amount of visible light which will leak through the ultraviolet filters and by the fluorescence of the embalming fluid.

vAsthe embalming fluid is circulated, the diffusion of the fluid through the tissues is revealed as the fluid diffuses toward the skin. A portion of the incident ultraviolet will penetrate the surface of the body and, where the ultraviolet strikes the fluorescent embalming fluid, the energy of the ultraviolet is emitted as visible light. The circulatory system of the body is such that diffusion 'of the embalming fluid to the skin indicates that the underlying tissues (except in the thoracic and abdominal cavities) have likewise been thoroughly penetrated, particularlywhen our fluorescent embalming fluid has a relatively low concentration of formaldehyde.

Any continued non-fluorescence of a portion of the body after the embalming fluid injection has progressed immediately indicates to theembalmer that the circulatory system is impeded or blocked. The circulation to such non-fluorescent areas may be aided by suitable massage and manipulation and, in dimcult cases, by localized injections. Thus, guesswork as to the necessity for localized injections is eliminated; this is a particular advantage in accident cases where the circulatory system is likely to be interrupted or impaired.

when the entire body surface has become fluorescent, a thorough embalming is indicated and the injection of the embalming fluid is stopped. As indicated above, the indications of this method are positive, except for the deepseated organs in the abdominal and thoracic cavities;'since the well-known cavity fluids are excellent for embalming these organs, the operation of embalming is completed by making direct trochar injections of cavity fluid in thethoracic and abdominal cavities; such treatment of these cavities is the phase of embahning known as "cavity embalming.

An excellent embalming fluid for use in the above described method is prepared by diluting one part of a fluorescent embalming fluid concentrate with fifteen parts of water. Illustrative examples of satisfactory fluorescent embalming fluid concentrates are as follows:

lt'zt'ample 1 Parts by weight Formaldehyde (gaseous) 25 Sodium nitrate; 1 Sodium tetraborate 1 o N sodium hydroxide solution 4 A phenol of the structural formula I c=0 H0 0 2.25 Glycerine 5 Phenol 1 Citric acid 2 Water 70 I The formaldehyde is dissolved in the major portion of the water and the balance of theabove ingredients are dissolved in the remainder of the' water. The two solutions are mixed and the alkalinity of the resultant concentrate is adjusted to pH 8 by addition of the organic acid or. the sodium hydroxide. In the above embalming fluid concentrate, the formaldehyde, sodium nitrate, sodium tetraborate (NBJBQO'I), and phenol comprise the active embalming agents. The sodium hydroxide solution serves as a buffer for the acid ingredients and brings the fluid to the proper alkalinity. The phenol of the foregoing formula is the fluoragent; this fluoragent is soluble in alkaline aqueous solutions, and, in the final dilution of concentrate, is colorless under visible light. The glycerine serves as a softening agent and has somewhat of a dehydrating effect. The citric acid serves as an anti-coagulant for blood which may remain in the circulatory 'system. When the above concentrate (embalming fluids are usually sold commercially only in the form of concentrates) is suitably diluted, the resultant embalming fluid is colorless and has no cosmetic effect upon the embalmed body under visible light, though causing the surface of the body to exhibit aeeasci 6 N sodium hydroxide solution. 4.5

The mixed derivatives of dehydrothio para toluidine of the formulae:

N o NH: (I (I L Q mo s S i I Phenol 1 Sodium lauryl sulphate .05 Tartaric a 2 Water '70 It will be noted that the above embalming fluid concentrate is substantially the same as that disclosed in Example 1, except for the substltution of .a different fluoragent (the mixed derivatives, of the foregoing formulae, of dehydrothio para toluidine), a different organic acid, and the replacement of. glycerine with sodium lauryl sulphate. The formaldehyde is dissolved in a major portion of the water, the balance of the ingredients are dissolved in the remaining water, the two solutions are mixed, and the alkalinity of the resultant concentrate is adjusted to pH 8, as in Example 1. Whereas the glycerine of Example 1 has somewhat of a dehydrating efiect, the sodium lauryl sulphate is a powerful wetting agent and has a dehydrating effect which aids diffusion. The tartaric acid serves the same function as the citric acid in Example 1. The fluoragent in this example, the mixed derivatives, of the foregoing formulae, of dehydrothio para toluidine, is colored as a concentrated dye but, in the final diluted embalming fluid, is substantially colorless. Thus, when the above concentrate is suitably diluted, the resultant embalming fluid has no appreciable cosmetic effect on the body when viewed under visible light though imparting a powerful blue fluorescence to the embalmed body when viewed under filtered ultraviolet.

The foregoing examples are given by way of illustration and are not to be construed as limitative. For example, both of the concentrates given in Examples 1 and 2 are suitable for normal cases, but,'due to the somewhat dehydrating effect of the glycerine in Example 1 and the hydrating effect of the sodium lauryl sulphate in Example 2, the concentrate of Example 1 is preferable for slightly dropsical cases and the concentrate of Example -2 is preferable for slightly dehydrated cases. It is, therefore, within the scope of this invention to adjust the concentrates so that specific concentrates for dropsical, normal, and dehydrated cases may be obtained.

Fluoragents which are colorless are substantially so in the dim! diluted embalming fluid are preferably employed in order that no inappropriate cosmetic effects may be obtained; it cos-, metic effects are desired, it is generally preferable 5 7 that such effects be obtained by externally applied cosmetics or by the addition of the wellknown appropriate cosmetic dyes to the concentrate or to the flnal diluted embalming fluid. It is within the scope of this method, however, to employ fluoragents which are not colorless and SOiNa which may have a cosmetic effect; the phthalein of the structural formula v O NaO is an example of such a fluoragent, which, in proper proportions and on appropriate cases, will impart a suntan effectito the embalmed body. Effective proportions of the phthalein of the foregoing structural formula, for example, may range from three grains per gallon in a preinjection fluid as injected into a body to one and one half grains per gallon in a rather dilute embaiming fluid injected into a body.

The proportion of fluoragent in the embalming fluid is dependent upon the ability of the fluor'agent to impart the necessary fluorescence to the embalmed body. As shown in the foregoing examples, the power of specific fluoragents to impart the desirable fluorescence may vary according to the fluoragent employed. The proportion of the fluoragent in the above examples is suitable for the specific concentrates when the final'diluted embalming fluids'are used on normaliy pigmented Caucasian bodies. Due to the powerful light absorptive properties of melanin, heavily pigmented bodies of other races may require the use of embalming fluids in which the proportion ofthe fluoragent is increased.

It will be noted that if concentrates made according to the foregoing examples are diluted according to the proportions given, the formaldehyde index of the actual embalming fluids will be approximately that which is generally recommended. If a stronger formaldehyde concentration is desired, the proportion of formaldehyde may be increased or the concentrate may be diluted less. In order to obtain the greatest benefit from the method disclosed, however, the above concentrates are first diluted until the formaldehyde concentration is approximately one-half of one per cent (5%). Such weak formfluid, as contrasted with the practice sometimes followed in making only four or five injections of a stronger solution. It should be borne in-m ind that the weaker formaldehyde concentrations recommended in the practice of this invention are no less effective as preservatives when such relatively weaker solutions are used in sufll'cient quantity. Because this invention permits positiveindications of the'extent of diflusion of the inspecting the body; under fluorescigenous radiations to detect the extent of diflusion of the injected fluid by the fluorescence of said fluid.

2. In the embalming and preservation of bodies, the steps of injecting into a body to be preserveda fluid containing an active embalmembalming fluid, such weaker solutions are. ultimately better preservatives in that they allow the embalmer to avoid the possibility of so rapidly coagulating the tissues that thorough diffusion of the embalming fluid is prevented. A body em-' balmed by the preferred practice under this invention is not rigidly "set up by the embalming.

and may thus be posed in a natural position. It should be noted that the fluid used in the above mentioned pro-injection treatment is not described as being :fluorescent. Since the purpose of the'.pre-injection treatment is principally to aid the subsequent embalming fluid injection and since the fluorescent embalming fluid reveals the extent of its diffusion, use of a fluorescent "pro-injection fluid would beamplusage, to an extent. If a fluorescent pre-injection fluid isdesired, however, it is within the scope of this invention to incorporate fiuoragents in quantities and kind similar to those employed in the 7 actual embalming fluids. If fluorescent pro-injection fluids are employed, it is recommended that one select a fluoragent which fluoresces with ajcolor distinctive from that of the fluorescent embalmingfluid, inorder to prevent the residual fluorescenceof the pro-injection fluid from being mistaken for the fluorescence of the embalming fluid. Since the fluorescent colore of fluoragents are additive, contrast between the fluorescent embalming fluid and the preinleotion fluid is Often diflicult to obtain and the use of a fluorescent pro-injection fluid is, accordinglyj generally discouraged.

It is also within the scope of this invention to' employ only a fluorescent pr'e-injectionfluid', relying upon the fact that thorough diffusion of the pre-injection fluid will generally be followed by a similar diffusion of the embalming fluid. Since do the steps of injecting an ultraviolet responsive I ing agent and a fluoragent, subjecting the body to fluoresoigenous radiations, and observing the extent of diifusion of the activeembalming agent'by the fluorescence at the surface of said body.

3. The method of embalming a portion of a body comprising the steps of injecting a fluorescent embalming fluid, subjecting the portion to be embalmed to fluorescigenous radiations. and continuing injection until all the surface of the portion to be embalmed becomes fluoresc t.

4. A method of detecting the diflusion of an injected embalming agent within a body by coinjecting a fluoragent and inspecting the body under fluorescigenous radiations to detect the extent of diffusion of the fluoragent by the fluorescence of the portion oi the fluoragent which has diffused to the surface of the body.

5. In the art of embalming, the method of presired to be embalmed become fluorescent.

6. The method of embalming a body consisting of the normal injection therein of an embalming fluid incorporating a substance capable of fluorescence, subjecting the body to ultraviolet light and regulating the amount of fluid injected through visual guidance by the fluorescent effect of the penetration and difiusion of the fluid in the tissues of the body.

'7. The method of embalming a body comprising fluorescent embalmingiiuid, subjecting the body to ultraviolet light, observing the penetration and diffusion of the said-fluid on the surfaces of the said body and assisting the circulation of the said fluid to the areas indicated by lack of fluores- 1 treatment to clear the circulatory system of the the fluorescent indications of this variation of the this invention, which may be useful in specific instances, will occur to those skilled in the art. For example, this invention has been described in connection with the preparation of human bodies for burial; this invention is also useful in the preservation of cadavers, parts of bodies, and organs for use in the medical and teaching pro-- fessions. The term "bodies" as employed in the appended claims is, therefore,to be understood to include parts and organs of bodies, both of humans and of lower orders of creatures.

-What is claimed is:

1. In the embalming and preservationof bodies, the steps of injecting into a body to be preserved a fluid containing a fluoragent and then body, injecting into the circulatory system of the body an embalming fluid containing in solution an active embalming ingredient and a sufllcient quantity of a fluoragent to render the fluid noticeably fluorescent when the fluid is diflused in capillaries at the surface of the body, inspecting the body under filtered ultraviolet, and forcing circulation and diffusion ofthe fluid into portions of the body under non-fluorescent areas of the surface of the body until such areas become fluorescent.

9. A method as defined in claim 1 in which said fluoragentis diluted until the fluoragent exhibits substantially no color in visible light in order to avoid a cosmetic effect due to the fluoragent.

10. A method as'deflned in claim 4 in which said fluoragent is diluted until the fluoragent exhibits substantially no color in visible light in order to avoid a cosmetic effect due to the fiuor agent.

-11. A method as deflned in claim 5 in which said fluoragent is diluted until the fluoragent exhibits substantially no color in visible light in 4 order to avoid a cosmetic eil'ect due to the fluorsaid fluoragent is diluted until the fluoragent exhibits substantially no color in visible light in order to avoid a cosmetic effect due to the fluoragent.

13. A methodas defined in claim 8 in which said pre-injection treatment includes the step of injecting into the circulatory system of the body a pre-injection fluid containing a dissolved anticoagulant and a fluoragent.

14. The method of embalming a body comprising the steps of circulating a fluorescent capillary wash fluid through the members of the body which are to be embalmed, subjecting the body to fluorescigenous radiations, assisting circulation to non-fluorescent areas of the portions to be embalmed, and then circulating a preserving fluid through the portions to be embalmed.

15. A method as defined in claim 8 in which said pre-injection treatment includes the step of injecting into the circulatory system of the body a pre-injection fluid containing a dissolved anticoagulant and a fluoragent selected to'fluoresce with a fluorescent color diflerent from the fluorescent color of the fluoragent in the embalming fluid.

16. A method of embalming a body comprising the steps of subjecting the body to a preinjection treatment by flushing the circulatory system with a pre-injection fluid containing adissolved anti-coagulant and an ultraviolet-responsive fluoragent, inspecting the body under filtered ultraviolet. assisting circulation of the pre-injection fluid until the surface of all portions of the body which are to be embalmed become visibly fluorescent, and then injecting an embalming fluid into the circulatory system which has been flushed with the pre-injection fluid.

17. The method of embalming a body comprising the steps of circulating through a body 'an ultraviolet-responsive fluorescent embalming fluid through the veins and arteries and capillaries of the body, subjecting the body to ultraviolet light, the fluorescence, indicating, the circulation and diffusion ,of the said fluid in the tissues of the said body, and the further step the areas indicated by lack of said fluorescence.

18. A method of embalming bodies comprising the steps of injecting into the circulatory system of a body an embalming fluid containing a dissolved ultraviolet-responsive. fluoragent and formaldehyde, said fluoragent being in suflicient concentration to emit visible light through the surface of said body when said body is subjected to ultraviolet and said formaldehyde being in a concentration of less than one per cent, inspecting the body under filtered ultraviolet and assisting circulation of the injected embalming fluid to non-fluorescent areas of said body, and

which said fluoragent is dissolved, in suflicient concentration to' indicate visibly through the skin the penetration of the fluid within a body when the fluid is injected into a body and the body is subjected to fluorescigenous radiations, said fluoragent being substantially colorless under visible light in the dilution in which said fluid is injected'in the body.

20. An embalming fluid comprising a solution of a preserving agent and'a fluorescent sub-..

' ing a water-soluble fluoragent, formaldehyde,

of assisting the circulation of the said fluid to increasing the concentration of formaldehyde above one per cent as ing fluid is continued.

19. A fluid for use in embalming a body comprising a fluoragent and an aqueous solvent in injection of said embalmand water, said fluoragent being in such concentration with respect to the concentration of formaldehyde that said fluoragent will be iiuorescent through the surface of a body when said concentrate is diluted until the concentration of formaldehyde is less than two per cent and more than one-half of one per cent and injected into a body and said body is examined under flltered ultraviolet, said 'fluoragent being substantially colorless under visible light when said concentrate is diluted for injection into a body.

23. An embalming fluid comprising a solution of formaldehyde and a fluorescent substance in 'suflicient concentration a to indicate visibly through the skin the penetration of the fluid within a body when the fluid is injected into a body and the body is subjected to fluorescigenous radiations.

24. An embalming fluid comprising an aqueous solution incorporating therein formaldehyde and including a phthalein .of the structural formula NaO at a ratio between 1% and 3 grains per gallon.

25. 'An embalming fluid comprising water, formaldehyde, and a substantially colorless water-soluble fluoragent in sufficient concentration to indicate visibly through the skin the penetration of the fluid within a body when the fluid is injected into a body and the body is subjected to fluorescigenous radiations.

DAVID E. wmuus. 

